When the Calendar Flips to September

When the Calendar Flips to Septembe

When the calendar flips to September, hockey fans become as giddy as a kid in a candy store, as they can taste a new hockey season upon them. And that’s how the Clarington Eagles and their fans felt Thursday night.

Under new leadership on the ice, Charlie Vanhaverbeke becomes the next player in a long line of captains who have worn the “C” on a Clarington Eagles jersey. Assistant captains Ben Stycuk, Ethan Girard, Charlie Key and Owen White round out the leadership group this year.

The Eagles see some familiar faces coming back, as Caleb Bidgood returns to the Nest after being dealt to Lakefield last season. Also coming over from Lakefield is overager Owen Thake. But what has not changed is the goaltending duo of Jairus Ford and Nate Gillis, as they will be the rock once again as the last line of defence.

The Eagles saw the return of last year’s captain, Nolan Matheson, who returned to take part in the ceremonial puck drop. He spent all six seasons with your Eagles.

After a stellar performance of “O Canada” by returning young singer Lourdes Alomar, who thrilled the fans once again with her version of the national anthem, it was finally time to drop the puck on the 2026-27 season. The first test was a big one: the defending Cougar Cup champion Uxbridge Bruins.

1st Period

It was a slow start for both teams, with neither generating many chances. Jack Dean got his first opportunity as a Clarington Eagle as he took a pass for a partial break, but got steered aside by Bruins goalie Robby Dimaria.

Then came two huge saves by Eagles goalie Jairus Ford. The first came off a breakaway by Luke Kemp. Minutes later, Josh Hall was denied in close, keeping the game at 0-0 heading into Period 2.

2nd Period

Those same two players would have great opportunities to start the second period and give their clubs the first goal of the season, but both Jairus Ford and Robby Dimaria would not budge in their respective nets.

But the Eagles did find a way to change all of that. At the 11:09 mark, Ben Hansen scored his first goal as an Eagle with a snap shot over the shoulder of Dimaria to make it 1-0. Christian Sokoljuk picked up the lone assist.

Not long after, Hansen got involved in a different way, bringing the physicality with a big hit near the penalty box.

The Eagles took that 1-0 lead to the dressing room.

3rd Period

Both teams had a few power plays throughout the game, with lots of pressure but no results. Uxbridge came out strong in the third with a lot of pressure and net-front presence, trying anything to get a puck past Jairus Ford.

Even new captain Charlie Vanhaverbeke came up with a key shot block in the third period to hold the Bruins at bay, but only for the time being.

With Dimaria on the bench for the extra attacker, the Bruins were finally rewarded for their efforts as a shot by Danny Thomakos squeaked by Ford to tie the game 1-1 at the 19:42 mark, sending the game to overtime.

Overtime

With it being 3-on-3 for seven minutes, you knew the chances were going to keep coming from both ends, and that’s the way it was. The biggest save of overtime came from Jairus Ford with a great glove-hand save.

So guess what? This thriller now needed a shootout.

Uxbridge shot first and picked their goal scorer, Danny Thomakos. But this time, Thomakos couldn’t convert.

The Eagles’ first shooter, Charlie Key, made a nice move and tucked it by Dimaria to make it 1-0 Eagles in the shootout.

Next up for the Bruins was Tucker Roberts. He found the back of the net to tie the shootout at 1-1. After Jack Dean converted his attempt, it was down to Jordan Fitger to try to keep the Bruins alive.

But Jairus Ford would come up with his final save of the night at the biggest part of the game and help the Eagles get that extra point.

Ford made 23 saves in his 1st Star performance.

Now the Eagles don’t have a lot of time to let this thrilling shootout win sink in, as it’s right back to work Friday night when they travel to Sutton Arena to take on the Georgina Ice.

Next home action for your Eagles will be Thursday, Sept. 17, when they face the Schomberg Cougars.

Come Fly With Your Clarington Eagles

Mike Jackman